To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (23rd – 29th January) Bexhill Primary Care Network is supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust in its call to get towards a future where cervical cancer is a thing of the past. The charity is launching a campaign to End Cervical Cancer in the UK .Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally. Every day in the UK there are 9 new diagnoses and 2 women will lose their lives. In 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a global call for action to eliminate cervical cancer. For the first time ever, the world has committed to eliminating a cancer. HPV vaccination and cervical screening can help prevent, and one day end cervical cancer. However, uptake has been falling in many parts of the country.
Samantha Dixon, Chief Executive at Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “A world without cervical cancer is in our reach, and we want to get there as soon as possible. By raising awareness of cervical screening and HPV vaccination, we can help stop more women developing cancer before it starts. We can all play our part to do this and get closer to ending cervical cancer.”
Together #WeCan work towards a day where cervical cancer is a thing of the past and as a charity, we need your help. This Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, get involved to raise awareness and help make it a reality!
What does ending cervical cancer mean?
We have the tools to make cervical cancer a thing of the past. HPV vaccination, cervical screening, and treatment for cell changes can all help prevent it but we need to increase awareness and uptake, and the funding to do so. Did you know that 1 in 3 women and people with a cervix do not take up their screening invite? Help us change this!
We also want to see government commitments to elimination, with strategies to make sure that no-one is missed out or left behind. This means tackling inequalities in cervical cancer prevention, ensuring we have the technology and workforces we need, and researching better and more effective ways to prevent cancer.
Countries around the world are committing to elimination, and are creating strategies to help achieve this, but so far the UK governments haven’t. #WeCan change that.
Cervical cancer facts
- Every day nine women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK and two women will lose their lives.
- Almost all (99.7%) cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV. That is why it is important to get regularly screened and get vaccinated if you’re offered it to help protect against HPV infection.
- Cervical screening (smear tests) saves thousands of lives a year, or around 7 in 10 cases of cervical cancer
- Across the UK 1 in 3 do not attend when invited for their cervical screening
- The most common symptom is bleeding in between periods or after sex. Other symptoms include post-menopausal bleeding, unusual discharge, unexplained pain between hipbones and pain during sex. Chances are it is not cervical cancer but best to see a GP if experiencing any.
- Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust have information and support about all things HPV, cervical screening and cervical cancer. No questions is too big or small.
- Through raising awareness of cervical screening, spreading important information about the HPV vaccine and calling on governments to take action, we can make cervical cancer be the first cancer in history we have eliminated.
Did you know together, we can end cervical cancer?
This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, and we’re supporting Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust to raise awareness of cervical cancer, and how one day we can make it a thing of the past! The HPV vaccination and cervical screening can help stop cervical cancer. We want to encourage uptake and share the facts to help you reduce your risk of cervical cancer. You can play your part too. Get involved, show support on social media, tell your friends, go for screening. Join the campaign: www.jostrust.org.uk/ccpw
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity. It provides information and support to anyone affected and campaigns for excellence in cervical cancer treatment, care and prevention. Its national Helpline is free, confidential and on 0808 802 8000